The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-12-17
A SUCCESSFUL RAID.
Seizure of Four Moopshine Distilleries--Ths
Work OF Two Sharp Deputies.

Work of Two Sharp Deputies.
Atlanta Constitution
The most daring and successful revenue raid
ever accomplished in the South since the serv
ice was established occurred last Sunday in
Pickens county.
The raid was made by Col. L ". Alexander,
one of the most intrepid officers In the depart
ment, assisted by Deputy Stephens.
Coione. Alexander received intimation as
long ago as last AUGUST that the Petit brothers,
Moss and Turner, four notorious moonshiners,
were operating an extensive Illicit dstillery
somewhere in the neighborhood of Jasper In
Pickens county. The revenue men followed up
all clews and trails but would in the end
find themselves at fault If there were any
stills IN that part of the country they were
ingeniously concealed, for the most persistent
and vigilant endeavors of the deputies
failed to discover them. Colonel Alexander was
not discouraged, however, and he resolved that
he would yet ferret out the moonshners and
capture their still. Last week he received GER
tain information that caused him to locate the
long-looked-for distillery about FIVE miles to the
west of Jasper. Accordingly he pressed into
service Deputy Stevens one of his most trusty
men, and prepared to make the raid. Saturday
night found him in the woods adi oining the
plantation on which he felt sure the still was
hidden. He and his man lay quiet until shortly
before daybreak Sunday. when they stealthily
crept toward a hole in which they had deserted
several figures entering, and they listened.
Suppressed voices could be distinctly heard be-
low. Evidently the officers were on the right
track They did hot remain inactive
long. Their time had come and they
Their approach was discovered by some
of the workmen, who gave the alarm and
the moonshiners scampered away, making their
exit from the other side of the distillery. One
of them was followed several hundred yards,
but escaped in the darkness. As soon as it was
light enough to admit of search being made
Colonel Alexander ana his companion thoroughly
explored the subterranean distillerv. 1t was
very extensive concern. There exeava-
tion about thirty feet square. In it a one-hun-
bred gallon still was in operation. A large
quantity of mash and beer was found. but
whisky could be discovered. 1t was subsequent
" learned that the men had carried off, the
night before, several hundred gallons of liquor.
The distiery was fully equipped for turning out
twenty gallons OF whisky day. The raiders were
puzzled to understand now the distlllery could
have been without water 1t is we'll under
stood, among all who are familiar with the bust
ness, that distilleries always near water.
This site being far removed from any water
course is the reason, perhaps. why the officers
never before suspected it's existence A close
examination of the cavern revealed the secret.
From the sides of a muddy log water drip
ping. The earth was brushed aside and the
conduit found to be hollow trees joined
together. These wooden pipes run a distance OF
not less than 200 yards. The way in which they
were connected showed considerable ingenuity.
Indeed. the interior arrangements all denoted
the we'll known cunning of the moonshiner. All
that valuable about the still was saved, but
all else was destroyed
After leaving this underground dstiery the
raiders became satisfied that they could find
other one near by. After some little time and
successfully to the end. Only a quarter of a
mile away they seized another underground dis
tillery, nearly as extensive as the other. This
similarly arranged. and was found to have
a capacity for daily output of fifteen gallons
large quantity of beer and mash found.
This was destroyed and the copper still
saved No arrests were made. the owner and
his men having beat hasty retreat upon the
raiders approach
About four hundred yards from this place
other large dstllery seized. This,
too. hidden under the ground The
ground over it cultivated, and the entrance
and exits were cunningly concealed from view.
The interior arrangements were like those de-
scribed
To the amazement of the officers another sub
terranean whisky mandatory was upon.
This was about large the first. just be-
fore the officers approach the workmen had
been busy. but none of them were captured.
good deal Of material was here DESTROYED.
These four extensive distilleries situated
in a radius of one mile. They have been in OPP
GRAFTON for four or five years. Their seizure is
regarded by Collector Crenshaw a most i'm
portaEt achievement Since they started to the
pre.Spt time they must have MADE ten Thousand
gallons of whisky.